Utilization of Energy in Commercial Steam Cookers

Abstract

Cooking times and efficiency of energy utilization were determined for pressure type and pressureless types steam cookers, using water and ice to simulate product loads. Efficiency of energy utilization ranged from 8.7% to 19.7% and energy utilized per gram of product from 2.61 to 3.84 kilo joules, the pressure type cookers using less energy than the pressureless types.

Utilization of Energy in Commercial Steam Cookers

“…Water in the liquid and solid form was used as a simulated product, respectively for fresh and frozen cut green beans and sliced carrots. Heating times and weight of simulated and nonsimulated products were established in pilot studies (Noble 1980).…”

“…Preliminary studies were performed to determine the appropriate method for calculating heat absorption by the simulated products. Total energy absorbed by the simulated product was calculated by the theoretical method (Noble 1980). Energy efficiency ratios for energy utilization in commercial steam cookers and energy utilized per gram of simulated product heated in commercial steam cookers were computed.…”